Sep 26, 2006
When was the last time you saw someone or read an honest argument for the obvious fact that the drinking age in America should be 18 years old? This idea is absolutely fringe at this point. Only the most ensconced politician in a district that supported them by 80% of the vote in their last election would even broach the subject…and even then they might lose. The argument is simple enough. An 18 year old may fight and die in…
Sep 19, 2006
Back in the day, Family Winemakers of California was a fairly radical organization relative to the other winery associations that existed in the United States. This radical posture was due in large part to the leaders of the organization (Brice Jones (Sonoma Cutrer), Bill MacIver (Matanzas Creek Winery), Patrick Campbell, Laurel Glen), all huge advocates for the concerns of small wineries and family farmers. In fact, the birth of Family Winemakers of California came after an exodus of small and…
Sep 18, 2006
I must admit, I am fascinated by the campaign in Massachusetts that has that state deciding whether or not wine should be sold in grocery stores. Currently one must go to a liquor store to buy wine. There is a good deal of money being spent with grocers on one side of the fight and liquor stores and distributors on the anti side of the fight. What struck me in the articles I’ve been reading about this campaign is that…
Sep 12, 2006
You know that whole battle between distributors of wine and wineries? That one that has the wineries wanting to be able to ship and sell their wine direct to customers while the distributors don’t want any direct sales to happen? That one? It’s over. Between last year’s supreme court victory, the number of states that have given in and allowed direct shipping and the seemingly ongoing self mutilation the distributors have engaged in as they try to convince us that…
Sep 8, 2006
Massachusetts is one of those places that still has amazingly antiquated laws on the books regarding wine and alcohol. One of those laws allows wine only to be sold in "package stores". Basically a "package store" is a liquor store. The law is being challenged and it looks like People are in favor of it. The proposal in MA to end the package store monopoly on wine sales doesn’t so much have an organized opposition as it does an organized…